Other town leaders called it the latest example of a mayor overstepping his authority through court rulings that minimize challenges to his decisions.

In a letter to Thompson, Wilson said her performance was “less than acceptable.” He declined further comment when contacted Tuesday.

Firing Thompson – town clerk for 13 years – takes her off the payroll after a 10-week suspension from her $53,000-a-year post for what Wilson alleges is misuse of public money. It’s a charge that she and some Town Council members dispute.

State Law Enforcement Division agents are looking into Wilson’s claims of financial irregularities at the request of all town leaders.